Field of africanamerican history and culture has expanded and morphed so many times. As such, theres so many issues, so many topics, so many themes that it was impossible to do everything in this conference. And theres so many gifted scholars whose voices should be heard but cant for this particular conference. It says, i think, so much about the vibrancy, the importance, the expansive nature of the field of africanamerican history, that no single conference can hold it all. But we are so excited about this conference because were excited about the array of scholars who are gathered here. And in some ways as i see my staff saying okay, lonnie, top talking, let me begin the conference by introducing the moderator of tonights roundtable, a long struggle for civil rights and black freedom, barbara ransby. Barbara is a dear friend whos a professor of history and africanamerican studies as well as undgender and womens studiet the university of illinois. A student of the black Freedom Moveme